Former University of New Mexico goalkeeper Jason Beaulieu has signed a homegrown contract with the Montreal Impact, the club announced last week.
Beaulieu, who just completed his senior season with the Lobos, is a Montreal native and was a member of the Montreal Impact Youth Academy prior to signing with New Mexico. Beaulieu was a four-year starter for the Lobos, playing every second of his senior season between the posts. He recorded a .95 goals against average, allowing 18 goals on the year and recording five shutouts behind a total of 81 saves. He appeared in a total of 69 games at New Mexico, finishing with a record of 34-22-11 and a total of 22 shutouts.
He finished in the top five all-time in multiple categories at UNM, including second in career appearances, fourth in career saves and third in career shutouts.
His contract will run for one year, with team options in each of the following three seasons.
“It is excellent news to see Jason return with the club after growing up within the Impact Academy,” head coach Rémi Garde said in a release. “He will have the chance to work in a favorable professional environment to further his development.”
Beaulieu becomes the third former Lobo to sign with an MLS club this offseason, joining Chris Wehan, who signed with the San Jose Earthquakes and Aaron Herrera, who signed with Real Salt Lake. The trio joins Niko Hansen, a member of the Columbus Crew, to make four Lobos from the last two years now playing in MLS.
“I am very happy to start my professional career at home, in Montreal,” Beaulieu said in a UNM release. “It is an opportunity few players get, and I am extremely grateful for it. My journey at UNM allowed me to define my style of goalkeeping and gave me the chance to play dozens of meaningful games every year. The environment created by the coaches and my teammates helped me grow from a talented young player to a confident leader.”
Beaulieu becomes the fifth goalkeeper on a Montreal roster that includes last year’s starter Evan Bush, as well as Clément Diop, who started 15 games for the Los Angeles Galaxy last season. Bush is the elder statesman of the group at 31, with the average age of the other four being 22.5.
The Impact open the season Saturday, Feb. 17 with a friendly match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. MLS play begins on March 4 against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Cameron Goeldner is a freelance sports reporter and photographer for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers men’s soccer and softball but also contributes content for baseball, basketball, football and track and field. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @goeldfinger.
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